Checking the river from Prescott through Cornwall yesterday revealed only
Canada Geese but in large numbers. This is the peak of their migration in
this area with a total of likely more than 100,000. Concentrations were
west of Cardinal, east of Iroquois, in the park at Morrisburg and at Long
Sault. There is minimal ice along the river elsewhere and the birds like to
be on the ice edge. From Ingleside through Long Sault however, the water is
largely frozen, opening up again by the causeway at Long Sault. The full
Long Sault Parkway is not open at this time of year, only access to the
first two islands. I checked for other species where possible but did not
see anything else.
Greater Snow Geese were reported to have made a flight downriver yesterday
with some stopping east of Lancaster at Westley's Point along the South
Service Rd. (about 5 km east of the McDonald's) Flocks were spotted in
cornfields north and northeast of Lancaster.
Later flocks will move further north in the counties as fields open up.
Brian Morin